US Launches Major Strikes on Iran Following Missile Attacks on American Forces in Jordan

In response to Iranian missile attacks targeting US forces in Jordan, the US Central Command initiated a series of powerful strikes against multiple Iranian targets overnight between Wednesday and Thursday. These strikes focused on command centers, missile and drone sites, surveillance and defense installations, and maritime capabilities. President Donald Trump warned that the US would hit Iran hard, emphasizing the effectiveness of US missile defense systems that intercepted all incoming Iranian missiles.

Alongside the military response, the US imposed stringent economic sanctions on networks financing the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), targeting shadow fleets and maritime insurance mechanisms. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted that the sanctions aim to prevent Iran from using global trade and shipping to fund terrorism and repression amid its struggling economy.

Diplomatic efforts intensified as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington to reaffirm their defense partnership and coordinate on the ongoing campaign. Meanwhile, a US liquefied natural gas tanker was struck by a drone in Egypt’s Damietta port, causing a fire but no casualties.

US Central Command also warned against Iranian attempts to control shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, affirming the US commitment to maintaining free navigation for international commercial vessels. The military has assisted around 1,000 ships carrying 500 million barrels of crude oil through the strait since May.

The escalating conflict coincides with a global energy crunch, as US commercial oil inventories hit their lowest levels since the 1980s, pushing oil prices higher. Additionally, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky urgently requested US and allied Patriot air defense systems amid massive Russian ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv, linking the Iran confrontation to broader international security concerns.